383 journalists faced harassment, attacks in first six months of 2026: HRSS

A total of 383 journalists were subjected to harassment, attacks and intimidation across Bangladesh during the first six months of 2026, according to a new report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).

The rights body's half-yearly human rights report, compiled from information collected from 16 national media outlets, said 234 journalists were injured, 60 were assaulted or publicly humiliated, 49 received threats, and 11 were detained between January and June.

The report also highlighted a broader deterioration in the country's human rights situation. It said 56 people were killed in intra-party political violence during the period, while more than 5,246 political activists and civilians were injured in politically motivated clashes. At least 133 people were killed and 256 injured in incidents of mob violence and lynching.

According to HRSS, law enforcement agencies obstructed 40 public rallies and gatherings, leaving 311 people injured and 38 detained, including political activists, students, workers and bystanders.

The report further stated that 81 people were named in 30 separate cases under the Cyber Security Ordinance, with 44 arrests made. It also documented 15 cases against 33 journalists under the ordinance during the six-month period.

Expressing concern over custodial deaths, HRSS said 11 people died in law enforcement custody or in incidents involving security forces, while 58 inmates died in prisons nationwide during the first half of the year.